STOCKS NEWS US-Futures rise after durable goods, jobless data

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0851 ET 27May2009-Futures rise after durable goods, jobless data
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U.S. index futures rose on Thursday, following the release of data that
showed that durable good orders rose more than expected in April, while jobless
claims fell.

For details, see [ID:nN28317508]

Dow Jones industrial average futures DJc1 rose 27 points while S&P 500
futures SPc1 gained 3.10 points and Nasdaq 100 futures NDc1 were up 0.25
points.

Reuters Messaging: ryan.vlastelica.reuters.com@reuters.net
0844 ET 27May2009-Durable goods orders rise 1.9 pct in April
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New orders for long-lasting U.S. manufactured goods rose more than
expected in April, rising 1.9 percent, according to data from the Commerce
Department.

Analysts had expected orders to rise 0.4 percent.

For details, see [ID:nN27221554]

Reuters Messaging: ryan.vlastelica.reuters.com@reuters.net
0836 ET 27May2009-Jobless claims fell by 13,000 last week
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The number of U.S. workers filing new claims for jobless pay dropped by
13,000 last week, the Labor Department reported on Thursday, but so-called
continued claims hit a new record as the recession took a further toll on job
prospects.

Initial claims for state unemployment insurance benefits declined to a
seasonally adjusted 623,000 in the week ended May 23 from a revised 636,000 in
the prior week. It was the second straight week in which initial claims fell.

Reuters Messaging: ryan.vlastelica.reuters.com@reuters.net
0826 ET 27May2009-Goldman upgrades hotel group to 'attractive'
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Goldman Sachs upgraded the hotel sector to "attractive" from "neutral" on
Thursday, saying the supply story kept getting better for the group, while
comparisons would get easier going forward.

"RevPAR (revenue per available room) did not turn negative until the second
half of 2008 and did not deteriorate significantly until the fourth quarter of
2008," the firm wrote. "As we move into the second half and the fourth quarter
of 2009, comparisons will be easier and the economy is expected to be growing
sequentially according to the Goldman Sachs economics research team which
should further help growth."

As part of its call, the firm upgraded Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
Inc (HOT.N) to "buy" from "neutral."

Reuters Messaging: ryan.vlastelica.reuters.com@reuters.net
0821 ET 27May2009-Poniard rises after results of drug trial
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Poniard Pharmaceuticals Inc (PARD.O) said on Thursday its experimental drug
picoplatin showed favorable results in mid-stage trials against advanced
colorectal cancer and advanced prostate cancer, clearing the path for possible
late-stage studies in 2010. For details, see [ID:nN27340203]

Shares surged 17 percent to $5.25 in premarket trading.

Reuters Messaging: ryan.vlastelica.reuters.com@reuters.net
0817 ET 27May2009-Time Warner to separate AOL, shares rise
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Shares or Time Warner Inc (TWX.N) rose 2.6 percent to $23.60 in premarket
trading on Thursday, after the company announced a plan to separate its AOL
unit into an independent, publicly traded company.

The media company aims to complete the proposed transaction by the end of
the year.

For details, see [ID:nWNAB4145]

Reuters Messaging: ryan.vlastelica.reuters.com@reuters.net
0806 ET 27May2009-Merrill affirms upside target for S&P 500
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Bank of America-Merrill Lynch affirmed its upside target for the S&P 500
.SPX at 1,055 to 1,065 on Thursday and said the downside was limited.

The firm wrote that short-term indicators were correcting rapidly, and said
"a sustainable cross of the 40-day moving average above the 150-day moving
average on the S&P 500 would be a positive sign that this correction should
remain limited. These averages have now crossed by nearly 2 percent."

Reuters Messaging: ryan.vlastelica.reuters.com@reuters.net